Elevator signal machine and system



Dec. 8, 1942. s. D. FOSTER ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM 1 m a 5 w. m #0 7 Z M Q q Dec; 8,1942. 5; D. FOSTER ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM 7 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1939 iycbmwva/vfl Farm 1942- s. D. FOSTER ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM Filed July 26, 1939 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I'M/av an) J'IlYRM/Y a fan '7 a;

Dec. 8, 1942. s, FOSTER I 2,304,160

ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM Filed July 26, '1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I i k Dec. 8, 1942. s. D. FOSTER ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM Filed July 26, 1959 'iSheets-Shet s Dec. 8, 1942. is. D. FOSTER 2,304,160

- ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM Filed July 26, 1959 'r Sheets-Sheet v ri oorfz lurk/v70 G Ara/v0. F0676: @W a;

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 ELEVATOR SIGNAL MACHINE AND SYSTEM Sampson D. Foster, Cordova, Tenn. Application July 26, 1939, Serial No. 286,526

13 Claims.

out signalactuation by the mechanisms and thereby neutralize or cancel both the annunciator signals and the floor signals for any particular car.

The mechanism through which circuit control is effected is of that general type which is interconnected with the elevator hoist and which has a head movable in one direction in response and in proportion to the upward movement of the elevator, and in the opposite direction in like response and proportion to the downward movement of the elevator.

The objects of the present invention are: To provide a simple and eflicient mechanism for effecting the establishment and disestablishment of the various circuits.

To provide in such mechanism means through which control operation of the mechanism may be discontinued, and reestablished.

To improve and simplify the design, construction and efficiency of such mechanisms.

To provide circuits connecting the mechanisrns respectively each with its related elevator, and means for interconnecting the circuits in series to the elevator annunciator signals, and

in parallel to the floor lights.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished, and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 is a plan view of a control machine showing the essential features only thereof, there being one of these machines for each elevator. Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive are views on substantially double the scale of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken as on the line II-II of Fig. 1, the position of the traveling carrier head being shifted, however, relatively to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is a section of the traveling carrier head taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 and Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line V"-V of Figs. 3 and 1 showing the bearing for one end of the guide bar, including a detent detail.

, Fig. 6 is a section taken as on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1; and

Fig. '7 is a substantially identical section showing the guide bar in neutralizing position.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing a typical circuit from a group of three control machines to the annunciator signals of the three related elevators and to the hall lights of a typical intermediate floor, the floor here shown as indicated by the annunciator lights being the fourth floor, there being substantially identical circuits for each of the other intermediate floors. The view also shows in light dash lines, the neutralizing control circuit from each elevator to its respective machine, there being only one such circuit for each elevator and machine.

Fig. 9 shows the control circuits from the three machines to their three respective elevators for the top floor annunciator light and hall light; and

Fig. 10 the related circuits for the bottom 'fioor hall lights and annunciator lights.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing circuits established from a single machine to the related hall lights and an elevator such as is used in'departmentstores where stops are made at all floors and no annunciator is usedjthere being no interconnection between this circuit and any other circuit. This view also shows the drive from the elevator hoist drum to the control machine, which drive is typical of that used in all the machines.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals:

Each of one or more elevators is provided with a coupled mechanismfor controlling the signal lights for such related elevators.

The control mechanisms or machines each include end members I0 and side frames II and I2 carried thereby and extending therebetween, these side frames serving as supporting -means for switches and trips. The switches and trips in the present drawings carried by the frame H are actuated and used as the connected elevator moves upward and thoseon the frame It when the elevator moves downward. I3 is a shaft journalled in bearings M which are carried by the end members in. One end of this shaft projects suificiently to carry a sprocket wheel l5 which is driven through a sprocket chain Hi from a second sprocket wheel I! (Fig. -11) secured on the shaft l8 of the hoist drum IQ of the related elevator, the drum and driving'mechanism being of usual and well known type for this class of mechanism.

Mounted on the shaft I3 is a traveling head 2| which is traversed along the shaft in the direction indicated by the arrow U during the upward trips of the elevator and in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow D during the downward trips. This movement may be accomplished by threading the body of the shaft between the bearings and mounting thereon a nut which is held against rotation. I prefer, however, to make this portion of the shaft of noncircular cross section, a hexagonal section being shown, and to slidably mount on this non-cir cular section a sleeve 22 having an external thread 23, the threaded sleeve being hereinafter designated as a worm.

The worm has laterally extending hub portions 24 which turn in ends 25 of the head 2|, these ends being externallycylindrical and lying within a cylindrical shell 26 which is secured to the ends 25 as by screws 21 (Fig. 3).

A sector of the lower portion of the shell 26, and sectors of the ends 25, are cut away to provide an opening 28 giving access to the underside r of the worm. 29 is a rack having teeth 30 conforming to the pitch of the thread of the worm, which-rack is in engagement with the thread of the worm in the opening 28, so that turning of the worm will traverse the head along the rack.

The worm may be provided with one or more longitudinal openings parallel to the shaft |3 in which are disposed plugs 3|, which plugs are urged apart by compression springs 32 and into frictional engagement with head, this frictionalengagement having a tendency to rotate the head 2| in the same direction that the worm is turned. The amount of this rotation of the head may be limited by the size of the opening 28 and the engagement of the shell 26 at either side of the opening with the rack 29. Preferably, however, arms 33U, 33D extend from the shell 26, and a guide bar 34, extending between the ends H], is provided, against,

and along the opposite sides of which bar the L arms 33U and 33D may seat and slide. This bar is flattened in cross section so that its width is much greater than its thickness and these dimensions are so related to the distances between the arms 33U, 33D that when the greater dimension is upright the head may turn a predetermined amount under frictional urging by the worm, but when this greater dimension is turned to a horizontal position the head is locked against rotation.

To allow for and accomplish such turning the cam bar is provided at its opposite ends with journals 35 which turn in suitable bearings in the frame ends and a drum 36 is mounted on the bar adjacent one of these ends.

31 is a cable which passes around the drum and is securely fastened against displacement, as by a screw 38, at the lower side of the drum. The opposite ends 39, 40 of the cable extend laterally and are secured to the plungers or cores 4|, 42 respectively, of oppositely disposed solenoids 43, 44, these solenoids being so disposed, and the length of their stroke with relation to the diameter of the drum 36 being such, that when the core 4| of the solenoid 43 is fully retracted by energization of the solenoid 43, as will be later described, the drum will be so turned that the bar 34 will be disposed with its greatest width in a vertical position, giving maximum movement of the arms 33U, 33D, whereas when the ends 25 of the the solenoid 44 is energized and the core 42 is retracted (Fig. '7) the bar 34 will be turned with its greatest dimension horizontal, contacting both of the arms 33U and 33D and locking the head 2| against turning in either direction. The bar 34 (Fig. 5) may be provided with a detent 45, urged as by a compression spring 46 into engagement with a notch 41 in the head I0 which will hold the bar, when its greatest width is vertically disposed, against accidental displacement, and a second notch (not shown) at 90 degrees to said first notch, may be provided for similar retention when the greatest width of the bar is horizontal. It will be understood that the solenoids 43, 44 are only energized momentarily and that after retraction of either core energization is discontinued.

Rigidly secured to the shell 2B of the traveling head, on one side is an elongated cam 50U, and similarly secured to the opposite side of the shell is a similarly elongated cam 50D. These cams are so located around the shell that when the arm 3317 is swung against the guide bar 34 the cam 50U will be swung upward into actuating position, whereas the opposite cam 50D will be swung well below such position, substantially as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, and with the opposite arm 33D in these views swung against the opposite face of the guide bar 34, the cam 50D will be swung upward into actuating position. Both cams may be moved to and locked in inactive position, as shown in Fig. '7, by turning the guide bar 34 to'horizontal position.

The cams 5UU, 50D lie along opposite sides of the head 2| and extend in opposite directions therebeyond, the cam '5UU extending in .the direction of upward movement, and the cam 50D in the direction of downward movement, of the head. The length of the cams are governed by conditions of use, being of greater length for high speed elevators than for low speed elevators as will be further hereinafter set out.

Adjacent the respective rear ends of the cams are studs 5|U and 5|D on which are respectively journalled rollers 52U and 52D. These rollers, like the cams, are swung into actuating and inactive position according to the direction in which the head is moved, and in the claims are called trips.

Mounted on the side frames H and I2 are a plurality of switch units. Eachof these units for the up side includes a bracket 53U which may be suitably secured to the under side of the frame member H, and for the down side a bracket 53D similarly secured to the frame member l2.

54U and 54D are switch carriers which are oscillatably mounted on pins 55 and have clips 56 which serve to secure to the supports and usual type of tilting mercury switches STU and 51D re-. spectively, which operate the annunciator signals, and hereinafter designated as control switches. 58U and 58D are electro-magnets which are supported by the brackets 53U and 53D respectively, or by the frame members and I2 in immediate proximity to these brackets. These magnets when energized, as through leads 59U, BOU; 59D, SOD in manner to be later described, attract pole pieces SIU, SID on the switch carriers 54U and 54D respectively, tilting the control switches 5'IU and 51D to'complete circuits through leads 62U, 62D; 63U, 63D respectively, the control switch 51U being shown in position to close its circuit and the control switch 51D with its circuit broken. 64U and 64D are latch levers which areoscillatably mounted on pins 65 carried by the brackets 53U and 53D, these latch levers each having means such as a protruding lug 66 adapted to limit the swing of the related switch carrier When the switches are in open position, and each have a shoulder 61 adapted to engage and hold the related switch carriers of the control switches when they are tilted under magnet action to closed switch position. The opposite ends of the latch levers on the up and down sides respectively extend over the paths of the rollers 52U or 52D, as the case may be, and when such rollers are in actuating position as is the roller 52U, in Fig. 6, any such lever on the up side which is holding a switch in closed position has its end disposed in the path of such roller and will be tripped by passage of the roller.

IIIU and 70D are a second set of mercury switches which close the hall light circuits and are hereinafter designated as hall switches. These hall switches are secured as by clips II to carriers I2U, 12D respectively, these carriers being oscillatably mounted on pins I3.

. I4 are stops which limit the swing of the switch carriers in oiT position of the switches. The carriers have each an upwardly and outwardly extending arm 15U and 15D respectively, which arms carry rollers 16U and 16D, these rollers being respectively in position to be raised by passage of the cams 50U and 50D when such cams are shifted to actuating position, and to thereby tilt their respective switches and complete circuits through leads 'I'IU, 18U, or 11D, 78D, as the case may be.

In a typical installation there is one of the switch units for the up movement, and one unitfor the down movement for each of the intermediate floors, but for the top floor and the ground floor there is one complete unit only for each, parts of this unit in each case being installed on the up side and the complementary parts thereof being installed on the down side. Note that in the section shown in Fig. 3 only magnet 58D and control switch 51D with its latch MD are shown on the down side, and only the hall switch IOU and its carrier I2U and related parts are shown on the up side.

In Fig. 8, #IM, #2M and #3M, diagrammatically show a single-floor switch group of three related machines, the down side of the machines being shown below the up side. The view also shows the circuits in the traveling cables from these three machines to the annunciators of three related elevators, #IE, #2E, #3E. The control mechanisms for the guide bars of the three machines are also shown and are indicated by the numbers #IC, #20, #30.

8IU and BID are the up and down hall lights for the #I elevator, 02U and 82D the lights for the #2 elevator, and 83U and 83D the lights for the #3 elevator. 84U is the up push button, and 84D the down push button through which the floor signals are established in the annunciators of all three elevators, and which also establishes a circuit lead to the hall light switches. 85,86 and 01 are respectively the annunciators in the three elevators, #IE, #2E and #3E, which annunciators house the signal lights 88U and 88D, for the various floors.

90 is a circuit from a source of electric current; 9| the usual double pole switch, and 92 a transformer such as is ordinarily used in elevator work to cut the voltage down where signal buttons are employed. 93 is the primary lead from the transformer 92 to the junction boxes 94, 95 and'96'of the traveling cables of the three elevators.

From

these junction boxes circuit wires 91, 98 and 99 lead through the respective traveling cables to switches I00, I M and I02 in the three elevators respectively, and through these switches to all of the signal lights 88U and 88D of the three annunciators 85, 86 and BI respectively. For each floor, leads I03U and I03D for each elevator, return through the respective cables to joint leads I04U and I04D and through these leads respectively to the leads 62U, 62D of the up and down control switches 5'IU, 51D of one of the three machines, #I M, #2M and #3M, thence through the leads 63U or 63D of this machine, and the series coupled leads 62U, 63U; 62D, 63D of the related control switches of the other machines to return leads I05U and I 05D and through a joint lead I06 to the transformer. All three up, and all three down switches are thus respectively connected in series so that all three switches must be closed to complete an up circuit or a down circuit as the case may be.

From the primary lead 93, leads IIU and Wm lead to the push buttons 84U and 84D respectively, and from these buttons leads I08U and I08D extend through the leads 59U, 59D to the magnets From the primary lead 93 also a joint lead H0 4 extends to all the hall lights 8IU, 8ID; 82U, 82D, and 83U, 83D. From these lights leads IIIU; II2U and II3U lead to the hall switchese 'IIIU of the #I, #2 and #3 machines respectively, being connected to these switches through the lead 'I8U. These switches are also connected through the leads "U to a joint lead II4U and through this lead to the lead I04U, from which the circuit is adapted to be completed through the control switches IU and the return leads I05U and I06 to the transformer. Similarly the lights 8ID,

32D and 83D are connected through individual leads HID, II2D and II3D to the down set of switches and through these switches and the return lead I 05D and joint lead I 06 to the transform-er.

I is a lead from one of the circuit wires to, jointly to leads m, I22 and I23 which respectively lead through the traveling cable to switches I24, I25 and I26 in the three elevators, #IE, #2E and #3E. From these switches leads I21, I28 and I29 lead to the control solenoids 43.

.of the three machines #IM, #2M and #3M, and similar leads I30, I3I, I 32 lead to the solenoids 44 of these machines. I33, I34 and I35 are respectively leads which complete the return circuit from the solenoids 43, 44, of each of the three machines, through a joint lead I36 to the power circuit.

The switches I24, I25 and I26 are respectively adapted each to close the circuit at option to either solenoid of a machine, typically the switch I24 being adapted to close the circuit through the lead I21 to the solenoid 43, or to close the circu t through thelead I to the solenoid 44 both of the #I machine.

In Fig. 9 the return leads from the circuit wires 91, 98 and 99 lead from the top lights 88D. In this view return leads I40, MI and I42 lead from the top floor lights 88D of the three annunciators 85, 86 and 81 to the junction boxes of the three elevators and thence through a joint lead I43D to the series connected control switches 57D of the three machines for this particular floor,

thence to the joint lead I06 back to the transformers.

From primary lead 93 a second joint lead I44 extends to the three hall lights 8ID, 82D and 83D for this floor. From these lights, leads I45, I46 and I41 respectively lead to the hall switches 'ISU of the three machines'for this floor, thence through a joint lead M8 to the lead I43D and through this lead to the series connected control switches 51D for this floor, thence through the return lead I06 to the transformer. A third lead lGID extends from the primary lead 93 to the hall button 84D, thence through the lead IIlBD to the three magnets 58D, which magnets accomplish the closing of the switches 51D.

In Fig. 10 the return leads I50, II and I52 continue the circuit from the bottom floor lights 88D of the three annunciators 85, 86 and 81 to the junction boxes of the three elevators and thence through a joint lead I53 to the series'connected control switches 51U of the three machines for this particular floor, thence to the joint lead I96 and back to the transformer.

From primary lead'93 a second joint lead I55 extends to all three hall lights BIU, 82U and 83U for this floor. From these-lights leads I55, I55 and I51 respectively lead to the hall switches THU of the three machines for this floor, thence through a jointlead I58 to the lead I53 and through this lead to the series connected control switches 51U for this floor of the three machines, thence through the return lead I06 to the transformer.

A third lead I01U extends from the primary lead 93 to the hall buttonBlU, thence through the lead IilBU to the three magnets 5811, which magnets accomplish theclosing of the series connected control switches 51U and not only complete the annunciator circuits, but also establish the return lead for the hall switches.

In Fig. 11 a circuit is diagrammatically shown adapted to operate hall lights only. In this operation each machine is entirely independent of an other and no hall buttons are employed; these buttons being omitted, the necessity for low voltage ceasesand the circuit here shown is at primary voltage. 90 is the incoming power circuit, 9I the master switch and I60 the primary lead to the junction box IGI of the traveling cable of the elevator. IE2 is a lead in the travelirig cable to a switch I63 in the elevator. IE4 is a return lead to the junction box IBI, and IE5 a lead from such junction box in common to all of the hall lights, IBGU for the lower floor, IBBD for the upper floor and I61U, I61D for each of the intermediate floors. From the hall light IGSU of the lower floor lead I10 extends through the hall switch lead 18D to the hall switch 1CD for the first floor. From this switch the lead 11D extends to a joint return lead I1I for all the down switches, this lead being continued through a lead I12 back to the power circuit. For any of the intermediate floors, as the sixth floor, a lead I68U extends from the hall light I61U through the lead 18U to the switch 10U of the machine for that floor and through the return lead 11U to a joint lead I13 which is connected through the return lead I12 to the power circuit. ,Likewise from the hall light I61D of this floor a lead I68D extends to the lead 18D connected to the switch 10D for such floor and through the return lead 11D from this switch to the joint lead HI, and as before, through the lead I12 to the power circuit.

For the upper floor the hall light IBSD is connected through lead I14 and lead 18U to the hall switch 10U for this floor. This switch is also connected through the lead 11U to the joint return lead I13 and the lead I12 to the power circuit.

In using the device, as set out in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, any car, as the #I car, which has been out of passenger service is put into service by closing the switch I00 in the elevator and establishing the annunciator circuit. Also the switch I24 of the control circuit is momentarily closed to complete a circuit through the lead I21 to the solenoid 43 of the control (#IC) of the #I machine, this action energizing the solenoid 43 of such machine and retracting the plunger 4|, rotating the drum 35 anti-clockwise, in Fig. 3, and turning the guide bar 34 into upright position as there shown. Thereafter the elevator is operated in usual manner.

Assuming the condition shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 1.0 in which switch Iill (of car #2) is open and that cars #I and #3 are in passenger service, as the cars move upward the switches 59U are open until a hall button 84U on some floor is pushed. Such action through the circuit IIIBU and return circuits IC EU and I06 energizes the three magnets 58U for that particular fioo-r of the three machines closing the three control switches 51U. As these switches close, the shoulders 61 of the latches 64U engage the switch carriers 54U and hold the switches in closed position, establishing an uninterrupted lead from the lead IMU to the lead IOEU. Circuits are thus completed through primary lead 93, traveling cable leads 91, and 39 and through the up light Bill] of the annunciators 85, and 81 for such floor, the circuits being completed through return leads I03U, lead IOlU, the series connected switches 51U and leads I05U and I06 to the transformer of the power line.

It will be understood that these actions take place irrespective of the direction in which the elevators are moving or what position the elevator may have relatively to the floor, or floors, on which the signal buttons are pushed.

As an elevator proceeds upward, the traveling head 2I of each elevator moves upward at proportionate speed. Also at the beginning of its upward movement the head is rotated until the arm 33U engages the guide bar 34, in such rotating movement raising both the cam 5013 and the roller 52U into actuating position. As the elevator and the head continue their upward movement the cam successively engages the rollers 16U, raising these rollers and tipping the hall switches 10U successively to establish contact between the leads 11U and 18U in these switches, but unless the related switches 51U have been closed the return circuit from such closed hall switch "IOU is open between the lead IOU and the lead IOSU and the hall light controlled by such switch is not operated. If, however, the up button has been pushed at any floor, and as before described, the three control switches 51U are closed, this return circuit is established and the hall light corresponding to such elevator on that floor is turned on.

It will here be recalled that the cam SIIU extends in advance of the head 2I so that, depending on the extent of this advance, the hall light on a floor on which the up light button has been pushed is turned on as the elevator approaches and in advance of its reaching such floor. Where the speed of the elevator is slow, such advance may well be such that the hall light is turned on only one floor in advance of the elevator, but for high speed elevators the length of the cam will 2,304,166 preferably be such that the hall lights are, turned on two, or even more floors in advance of the elevator. The hall lights so turned on are maintained until either the cam passes frombeneath the roller 'ISU, ordinarily as the elevator leaves the particular floor, or until the roller 52U strikes the extended arm of the latch 64U, releasing the latch carrier 54U and breaking the circuit, of the leads 62U, 63U in the control switch 51U. Obviously only the car which is'passing thatparticular floor trips its related control switch EJU, the remaining switches being still held closed by their latches. This however has no effect on the circuit since the opening of any one of the control switches IU breaks the series circuit through these switches and opens the annunciae tor circuit and the hall light circuit for such floor. Subsequently as the remaining cars pass that particular floor they in turn trip the 1emaining switches, but whether they do so or not h can be established again pushed by a is immaterial since no circuit until that floor hall button is would-be passenger. I I

1 A any-elevator approaches the top floor, if the button on such floor has been pushed and the annunciator circuit through the control switches 5IU for such floor closed, the cam SOU turnsn the hall light on such-floor indicating the approach of. the car to thatfloor to receive down passengers. Ordinarily thetravel of the head '2I upward is not sufficient to allow the cam BGU to clear the last up roller 'IBU, nor sufficient to permit the roller 52U to trip thelatcharm MU. The light therefore on the top floor remains on until. such time as the elevator starts down.

When this occurs the direction of motion of the hoist drum I9 of the particular elevator is reversed, reversing correspondingly the direction of motion of the shaft I 3 of the machine and the head 2| is oscillated in opposite direction until engagement of the arm 33D of the head with the guide rod 34 occurs, such oscillation of the head depressing the cam WU to inoperative position, allowing the roller "ISU to drop and the hall light to be cut off. At the same time the cam 50D is raised to operative position, raising the roller 16D for the floor immediately below the top floor and also if the extension is sufficient, for the second floor therebelow also. This shifting action of the head also brings the roller 52D into actuating position and as the head moves downward this roller trips the latch 64D breaking the annuncia tor circuit. Attention is called to Fig. 9 of the drawings in which it is shown that the top hall light where the circuit has been established by pressing thebutton on that floor is controlled by the upward movement of the elevator, whereas the circuit established by such button is cancelled by the downward movement of the elevator.

Subsequently the sequence of operations de scribed takes place on downward movement of the elevator, Fig. showing that the reverse of the action described, Fig. 9, takes place at the lower floor when the elevator descends.

The switch IOI, in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, is shown open. Also in Fig. 8 the guide bar 34 of control #20 of machine #2 is shown turned in position which renders the actuating rollers and cams (Fig. '7) inoperative. The shift of the control bar 34 to inoperative position has been effected by moving the switch I to complete 'the'circuit through lead I28 to solenoid 43, thus retracting plunger 42 of such solenoid. After suchsolenoidaction the switch I25 is opened and is so shown.

Under these conditions elevator #2 may be operated as for freight or other purposes without showing of annunciator lights in such elevator. or eifectof the elevatoronthehall lights; To restore this machine to passenger service, as before described the switch I0 I is closed and the switch I25 closedto'establish a circuit through lead I3I to solenoid 44 After energization such solenoid switch being as before restored to open position. ,In that hook-up of the machine shown in Fig. 11, as the elevator-raising drum I9 turns and raises the elevator the head 2| is shifted to bring the arm 33U against the guide bar 34 and raise th'ecam U to operative position. .As the elevator. and thecoordinated head 2I move upward the cam bar 5011 successively closes the switches IOUoperating the hall lights I 6'IU of floors 2 to 5 and the down' hall light I66D of floor 1. During this movement the cam 50D is depressed away from actuating contact with the switches 10D. When the elevator reaches the top floor and starts its downward movement the direction of rotation of the drum I 9 andof the shaft I3 is reversed, the head 2| is shiftedto bring the arm 33D against the guide bar 34 and raise the cam 50D. into actuating position, at the same time dropping the cam 50U to inoperative position and opening the top floor, halllight circuit, moving the .cam 50D upward into actuating position c'loses the switch MD of the sixth'fioor and turns on the hall light I611) forthat floor.

' The subsequent downward movement is a repetition of the above described upward movement. It will be noted that in the specification the members 52 U' and 52D which trip theswitches 5'IU', and 57D have been referred to throughout as rollers, and in actual practice. such rollers are preferably used. It will'be understood, however, that any'form ofmember which accomplishes the tripping of the switches may be substituted, and inthe claims the'inclusiveterm trip or tripsf has therefore been used.

,It will be noted also that in the specification the switches {1U and 51D have been referred to as (control switches. since they not only energizfe the annunciator lights, but also they make orbreak thereturn circuit for the hall lights.

In the claims,'these control switches have been usually referredto as .annunciator switches. In the machines the headZI is moved from one end of the shaft or member I3 to the other end thereof, the machine being ordinarily positioned so that the shaft I3 is horizontal. Throughout the specificationand claims, however, the movement of the head has been designated as 'upward or downward in accordance with the direction in which itmoves relatively to the upwardmovement of the elevator or the downwardmovement thereof.

In Fig. 11 the lead I60 is shown as extending through a traveling cable to a switch in the elevator, and it is preferred that the installation be thus made. It will be distinctly understood, however, that the lead I60 may be directly connected into the lead I65, preferably through a switch corresponding to the switch I63 located adjacent the elevator on the bottom floor oi the building.

I claim:

1. In an elevator signal machine, a frame having'end members and parallel side bars, switching units spaced and secured along said side bars, an elongated rotatable member, intermediate and substantially parallel with said side bars, journalled at its opposite ends in said end members,

and adapted for coupling to said elevator for coordinated reversal of rotation responsive to reversal of movement of said elevator, a head traversably mounted on said member, said head having secured on each of its laterally opposite sides, a trip and related cam, said cams respectively, each extending substantially parallel with said member in the direction of actuating movement, means traversing said head forward and backward along said member in respective response to opposite rotations of said member, means responsive to said opposite rotations for oppositely oscillating said head and means limiting said oscillation, to establish in operative position the trip and the related cam extending from said head in the then established movement direction, said switching units each comprising a switch biased open, a manually excitable electromagnet for closing said switch, latching means for retaining said switch in closed position, said latching means including a trip member; and a second switch biased open, and including a closing member, said members extending into adjacency to said head and into respective cooperative relation with the related said head-carried trip and cam shifted into operative position by oscillation of said head.

2. In an elevator signal machine, a frame having end members and parallel side bars, switching units spaced and secured along said side bars, an elongated rotatablemember, intermediate and substantially parallel with said side bars, journalled at its opposite ends insaid end members, and adapted for coupling to said elevator for coordinated reversal of rotation responsive to reversal of movement of said elevator, a head traversably mounted on said member, said head having secured on each of its laterally opposite sides a trip and related cam, said cams extending substantially parallel with said member, respectively in opposite operating directions; means traversing said head forward and backward along said member in respective response to opposite rotations of said member, means responsive to said rotations for oppositely oscillating said head, and means limiting said oscillation, to establish, in operative position, the said trip, and related said cam extending from said head in the direction of movement established by said rotation; said switching unitsv each comprising a switch biased open, a manually excitable electro-magnet for closing said switch, latching means for retaining said switch in closed position, said means including a trip member; a second switch biased open, and including a closingmember, said trip W member and closing members extending into the respective paths of a said head-carried trip and related said cam for cooperative actuation thereby when said trip and cam are established in operative positions.

3. In an elevator signal machine, a frame having end members and parallel side bars, switching units spaced and secured along said side bars, an elongated rotatable member, intermediate and substantially parallel with said side bars, journalled at its opposite ends in said end members, and adapted for coupling to said elevator for coordinated reversal of rotation responsive to reversal of movement of said elevator, a head traversably mounted on said member, said head having secured on each. of its laterally opposite sides, a trip. and related cam, said cams extending substantially parallel with said member, respectively in opposite directions, from said head,

each, ,anioperative distance ,atleast as great: as 7 the switch unit spacing in advance of its related said trip, means traversing said head forward and backward along said member in respective response to opposite rotations of said member, means responsive to either said rotation for oscillating said head and means limiting said oscillation, to establish in operative relation the trip and related cam extending from said head in the direction of movement established by said rotation, said switching units each comprising a switch biased open, a manually excitable electromagnet for closing said switch, latching means for retaining said switch in closed position, said means including a trip member, and a second switch biased open, and including a closing member, said member extending into the path of the related said head-carried trip and cam respectively when said trip and cam are shifted into operative position by oscillation of said head.

4. An elevator signal machine including a plurality of switching units, and actuating means adapted for coupling to and coordination with movements of an elevator, said means including parts adapted to cooperate with said units; each said unit comprising supporting means, a pair of tilting type switches independently and tiltably supported by said means and biased open, one of said switches including a member extending into the path of a said elevator-coordinated part and adapted for actuation by said part to close said switch and hold same closed during passage of said part; the second of said switches including an armature bar, a latch part, a manually controlled electro-magnet secured to said supporting means in operative proximity to said armature bar and adapted on energization to cooperate with said bar to tilt said switch to closed position, and a second latch part carried by said supporting means and adapted to engage said switch latch part when said switch is tilted to closed position, said second latch part actuatably extending into the path of a second said elevator-coordinated part.

5. An elevator signal machine including a plurality of switching units, and actuating means adapted for coupling to and coordination with movements of an elevator, said means including an elongated cam and a trip; each said unit comprising supporting means, a pair of tilting type switches independently and tiltably supported by said means and biased open, a first of said switches including a member extending into the path of said cam and adapted to cooperate with said cam to close said switch and hold same closed during passage of said member; the second of said switches including an armature bar, a latch part, a manually controlled electro-magnet secured to said supporting means in operative proximity to said armature bar and adapted on energization to cooperate with said bar to tilt said switch to closed position, and a complementary latch part carried by said supporting means and adapted to engage said switch latch part when said switch is tilted to said closed position, said complementary latch part having a part actuatably extending into the path of said trip.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5 in which said cam is extended in the direction of actuating movement to engage at least two said switch closing members in advance of action of said switch trip.

7. In a signal operating device for an elevator, oppositely disposed groups of switchingv unltsrespectively for the control of signals indicating units, and means adapted to couple said actuating means to said elevator for movement responsive to like reversible movement of said elevator; said units each comprising a pair of switches biased open, a manually controllable electro-magnet adapted to close a first of said switches, a latch adapted to hold said switch closed, said latch having a trip member extending toward the path of said actuating means, the second of said switches having a closing member extending toward said path; said actuating means including a pair of latch trips, and a pair of closer-cams, a trip and a cam respectively of said pairs forming an actuator, and means responsive to reversible movement of said actuating means for shifting each said actuator respectively into the path of the complementary group of switching unit members.

8. In a signal operating device for an elevator, oppositely disposed groups of switching units respectively for the control of signals indicating upward and downward elevator movement, said units being spaced at substantially equal intervals along substantially parallel lines, means supporting said units, actuating means for said units, means supporting said actuating means for reversible traversing movement along a path parallel to the alinement of said units, and means adapted to couple said actuating means to said elevator for movement responsive to like reversible movement of said elevator; said units each comprising a pair of switches biased open, a manually controllable electro-magnet adapted to close a first of said switches, a latch adapted to hold said switch closed, said latch having a trip member extending toward the path of said actuating means, the second of said switches having a closing member extending toward said path; said actuating means including a pair of latch trips, and a pair of closer-cams, a trip and a cam respectively of said pairs forming an actuator, and means responsive to reversible movement of said actuating means for shifting each said actuator respectively into the path of the complementary group of switching unit members.

9. A signal operating device in accordance with claim 8 in which each said cam is extended in the direction of its operating movement to engage at least two said switch closing members in advance of action of the related trip.

10. In an elevator signal-operating machine having trip and actuating parts, signal switching units, each comprising a bracket, a manually energizable electro-magnet supported thereby, a pair of tilting type switches, a pair of carriers each respectively for a said switch; said carrier for a first of said switches being pivotally supported off center in said bracket to bias said switch open, and including an armature extending into switch closing proximity to said magnet and a latch part; a latch member pivotally mounted in said bracket, and having an extending trip arm biasing it toward latching engagement with said latch part; said carrier for the second of said switches being pivotally mounted in said bracket 01f center to bias said second switch open, and having an actuating arm, said trip and actuating arms extending beyond said bracket and operatively into the path of said trip and actuating parts respectively.

11. In an elevator signal-operating machine having trip and actuating parts, signal switching units, each unit comprising abrack'et, a manually energizable electro-magnet supported thereby, a pair of tilting type switches, a pair of carriers each respectively for a said switch, said carriers and latch members each being pivotally hinged in said bracket; said carrier for a first of said switches including a latch part and an armature extending into switch closing proximity to said magnet; a latch member having a trip arm; said carrier for the second of said switches having an actuating arm, and means respectively biasing said switches open and said latch member toward engagement with said latch part; said trip and actuating arms extending beyond said bracket and operatively into the path of said trip and actuating parts respectively.

12. In an elevator signal machine, a frame having end members and parallel side bars, switch ing units spaced and secured along said side bars, an elongated rotatable member intermediate and substantially parallel with said side bars, journalled at its opposite ends in said end members, and adapted for coupling to said elevator for coordinated reversal of rotation responsive to reversal of movement of said elevator, a head traversably mounted on said member, said head having secured on each of its laterally opposite sides, a trip and related cam, both normally inoperative, said cams extending substantially parallel with said member, respectively in opposite directions of operative movement, means traversing said head forward and backward along said member in respective response to opposite rotations of said member, means for oscillating said head in response to a said rotation, to bring toward operative positioning, the said cam, then extending from said head in the direction of movement of said head and the related trip, means selectively operable adapted to limit oscillating movement of said head and establish operative positioning of said cam and trip, or at option to prevent oscillation and hold said cam and trip in inoperative position; said switching units each comprising a switch biased open, a manually excitable electro-magnet for closing said switch, latching means for retaining said switch in closed position, said means including a trip member; and a second switch biased open, and including a closing member, said members extending into adjacency to said head and into respective cooperative relation with the related said head-carried trip and cam, when said trip and cam are shifted into operative position by oscillation of said head.

13. In an elevator signal machine, a frame having end members and parallel side bars, switching units spaced and secured along said side bars, an elongated rotatable member intermediate and substantially parallel with said side bars, journalled at its opposite ends in said end members, and adapted for coupling to said elevator for coordinated reversal of rotation responsive to reversal of movement of said elevator, a

' head traversably mounted on said member, said head having secured on each of its laterally op posite sides, a trip and related cam, both normally inoperative, said cams extending substantially parallel with said member, respectively in opposite directions of operative movement to engage at least two said switching units, means 8 traversing said head forward and backward along said member in respective response to opposite rotations of said member, means for oscillating said head in response to a said rotation, to bring toward operative positioning, the said cam, then extending from said head in the direction of movement of said head and the related trip, means selectively operable adapted to limit oscillating movement of said head and establish operative positioning of said cam and trip, or at option to prevent oscillation and hold said cam and trip in inoperative position; said switching units each comprising a switch biased open,a manually excitable electro-magnet for closing said switch, latching means for retaining said switch inrclosed position, said means including a trip member; and a second switch biased open, and including a closing member, said members extending into adjacency to said head and into respective cooperative relation with the related said head-carried trip and cam, when said trip and cam are shifted into operative position by oscillation of said head.

SAMPSON D. FOSTER. 

